GST becomes the marketing catchphrase before rollout

Rujuta Parekh

Thursday, 15 June 2017

Pune: With the rollout of Goods and Service Tax (GST) merely a fortnight away, traders and companies are cashing in and extending special pre-GST offers. GST has become the new marketing strategy and many companies are already passing on post-GST benefits to the consumer.

Pune: With the rollout of Goods and Service Tax (GST) merely a fortnight away, traders and companies are cashing in and extending special pre-GST offers. GST has become the new marketing strategy and many companies are already passing on post-GST benefits to the consumer.

Pre-GST offers are being extended on a variety of products including two-wheelers, automobiles, electronics, apparel, education and many others. Promotional messages, hoardings, radio and television advertisements and other marketing tools highlighting the term GST have become a common feature since the announcement of GST rates last month.

Among the first companies to jump onto the GST marketing bandwagon was automobile giant Mercedes Benz, which declared on May 25 that it will offer post-GST benefits to customers from immediate effect.

Speaking about the announcement, Managing Director and Chief Executive Oficer of Mercedes Benz India had said, “As a customer-centric initiative, we are now passing on the benefits of post-GST pricing of our ‘Made in India’ cars with immediate effect. To ensure complete peace of mind for our customers, we have decided to pass on the GST tax benefits at an earlier stage at our cost. This approach will be hugely beneficial for customers who want to purchase a locally produced Mercedes Benz from now on.”

According to the company, the offer will provide savings of up to Rs 4,500 depending on the model and the state in which the motorcycle is purchased. President, Motorcycle Business, Bajaj Auto, Eric Vas, said, “As a responsible corporate, Bajaj Auto is happy to pass on the price saving accruing out of GST to its customers. With the GST implementation just around the corner, we felt that it would be appropriate to pass on this significant savings to customers.

Bajaj Auto is proud to be the first and only motorcycle company in India to offer post GST reduced prices to customers even before the implementation date. Customers no longer need to wait for July 1 to buy their desired Bajaj motorcycle.”

Apparel brand Allen Solly has also jumped onto the GST bandwagon and has been circulating messages stating, ‘Allen Solly Women’s Wear: Buy 1 get 1 free and more exciting offers in-stroe. Pre-GST End of Season Sale Preview is in full swing. Drop by and don’t miss out. T&C.’